Cynthia Johnson, SolarNet News. I'm standing with Capt. Alexander Mackenzie in Providence Station's command center. It's a unique experience to say the least, because the command center is at the station's "north pole." There's a seven-meter-wide observation window at the front of the command center that looks outward into space.
CJ: Captain Mackenzie, one of your duties alongside commanding this station is your job as military governor of the Proxima system. What does that entail, and what significance is the Proxima System to the Terran Defense Force?
Alex: For now, the jobs of commanding the station and governing the system are one and the same. They probably always will be -- this is a metal-poor system, and there's no demand for other resources. The biggest challenge we face is trying to make Providence Station self-sustaining, which means growing our own food and producing our own fuel. That's why you see two asteroids in shepherd orbits near the station.
As for the strategic significance of the system ... that should be more obvious now than ever. Before the Ceti occupied the Kentaurus System, this station was an ideal conduit for traffic between there and Earth. Now the station serves as a vital staging ground for Terran forces. It will give us someplace from which we can launch operations in the Kentaurus System, and in the meantime, it's served as a sanctuary for evacuees who've arrived from Kentaurus Prime in slower-than-light ships.
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The Command Center's Observation Window gives a different perspective to the starfields of Proxima system.
CJ: Ambassador Nephryl mentioned something about Kentauran refugees. In addition, I've seen Ceti actually aboard the station, working side by side with Kentaurans and humans. Can you tell me what's going on here, Captain?
We have received Kentauran evacuees along with Ceti who have requested political asylum from their government. I think we can learn a lot about Ceti culture from interacting with them peacefully aboard Providence Station, and it also sends a strong statement that not all of the Ceti support their forces' aggression against us.
CJ: Aren't you worried about sabotage or espionage?
Certainly, and we take security precautions to make sure no one's sending covert messages from Providence Station. But trust has to begin somewhere, Ms. Johnson, unless we want to consign ourselves to being butchers of worlds.
CJ: How many evacuees have you received here so far? Are you worried about overcrowding?
Alex: We've received about 30,000 Kentauran evacuees and about 6,000 Ceti in the last week and a half. I don't think we'll see too many more Ceti coming this way, but Kentaurans keep trickling in. But the station can hold 150,000, and even with a full crew, we're nowhere near that number. If we need more permanent facilities, we'll consult with the Terran Parliament.
CJ: What kind of reaction can we expect from the Terran Parliament?
Alex: I don't know. I've heard that incidents of violence against Kentaurans has increased in recent weeks, which would make establishing temporary shelters on Earth difficult. I think if worse came to worst, we could drill out another asteroid and build a semi-permanent habitat for the evacuees here.
CJ: Some of our viewers have asked us about the "Sekhmet Incident" that's been mentioned since the station's opening ceremonies. Can you tell us anything about that? And how does Commander Corrington fit into all this?
Alex: Bruce was a good friend. I thought I knew him well ... I was wrong. As I understand, he'll face court-martial for attempted assassination, treason, and several counts of sabotage. If they don't order his execution, he'll probably spend the rest of his life in Hades Prison on Mercury. As for the Sekhmet Incident, I've already said all I care to say.
CJ: But you haven't made any public statements about it other than the statement you made at your debriefing.
Alex: That's right.
Will Hebert: Captain, one ship incoming. Kentauran refugee ship, range 5 million kilometers.
Alex: Miss Johnson, you'll have to excuse me. You can stay on the command center for now, as long as you stay out of the way.
Alex: Put it on the holodisplay, lieutenant.
[A holographic display three meters in height appears in front of the observation window, displaying the irregular, rounded form of the refugee ship.]
Alex: Mister Devenson, we have a Kentauran refugee ship incoming, range 5 million kilometers. I want her to have an escort coming into the station.
Thomas Devenson: Give me 45 seconds, Captain, and you'll have that escort. I'm on my way now.
Will: Captain, I have four more ships incoming ... they're Ceti. Range 10 million kilometers and closing. I read two destroyers, one heavy cruiser, and a carrier. Their vector matches the approved protocols.
Robert Peters: Sir, I'm receiving a hail from the carrier. It's in Kentauran.
Alex: Standby. Ms. Johnson, I'm going to have to ask you to leave.
Thank you for your time, Captain. [To the camera:] This is Cynthia Johnson from SolarNet News, reporting from Providence Station.